#CulturedKids 58 – London June 2020

3rd #CulturedKids monthly linkie in the new world of Covid 19, difficult to believe! In the midst of dark events, well justified protests and the challenges of the pandemic environment, the culture remains again a solid way to keep sanely insane.  And as our new realities are still super busy remote working, homeschooling and cooking, I found solace in the evening with Grayson Perry Art series on Channel 4,  opera and ballet streamed from Royal Opera House, Sadler’s Wells and Met Opera. A special mention to Hussein Chalayan’s Gravity Fatigue, where one of my favourite and iconic fashion designers explores in his first ever dance production identity, displacement and the disconnection. The show was staged in 2015 but somehow to me  felt very topical and relevant in those current strange times.

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What else have we been up to? Since travelling outside our post code has been allowed, we ventured on regular daytrips for the week-end. Our children favourites have been the ones around Cliveden – the National Trust was still closed at this time, but on the other side we loved one adventurous 4 hour walk next to the river via Ray Mill island and Battlemead Common or a shorter one around Cock Marsh. Stoke Poges memorial gardens and Eton College stunning grounds have gone down also very well, wysteria, peonies, lilac and roses delighting us all. For forest fun we can’t recommend any warmer Ashridge Estate, glorious for cycling, exploring and climbing lots of logs and dens in perfect self distancing. Open toilets are also a bonus thanks so much to National Trust volunteers and the icecream van one huge afternoon hit; ancient trees, rolling chalk downlands and lush meadows at their best! We’ve also had our first go t strawberry picking, Wey River National Trust and thereafter more tiramisu preps at home.

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My lovely co-host Megan at Truly Madly Kids and I loved reading all the link ups from last month and our favourites have been The culinary delights of Penang, Norwegian Coast and Porto with kids. Congrats!

Social distancing may be the new norm for Covid 19 realities with kids or without; but socialising (on-line and in safe distance) feels more needed and as important than ever. We can lament about the state of the world and affairs; moan about cancelled trips (in our case Andalucia, Tamouda Bay in Morroco and Ibiza!) or we can daydream about past travels or going back to museums and shows! Come and link up!